CHIKONDI Foundation president John Mambo has commended Government for introducing Reservation Schemes for locals which prohibits foreigners from selling live birds in the market, quarrying, block-making and domestic haulage.

Bishop Mambo said foreign investors should always partner with the locals because Zambians have a heart for their fellow Zambians.

He also said if Zambians were put in front of foreign investment, it would be easier for Government to follow up a Zambian in case an investment collapsed affecting Zambians. “There are so many investors sitting alone in board rooms without the presence of a Zambian or Zambians. This has made the foreign investors to make money and leave because Zambians are not involved,” he said.

He said leaving the live bird and blocking making businesses to Zambians would allow for those graduating from colleges and universities to venture into the businesses. On Monday, Cabinet approved the introduction of the Reservation Schemes in line with the Citizens Economic Empowerment Act no.9 of 2006.

Under the reservation schemes for poultry, quarrying, block making and domestic Haulage, selling of live birds on retail and wholesale basis and at markets had been reserved for citizens, citizens-influenced, empowered and owned companies.

It also stated that poultry production, processing and marketing investment be reserved for investment by citizens, citizens-influenced, empowered and owned companies.

The reservation further outlaws block-making investments which are now reserved for citizens, citizens-influenced, empowered and owned companies.

Quarrying investment had also been reserved for investment by citizens, citizens, citizens-influenced, empowered and owned companies.

When contacted for a comment, Poultry Association of Zambia executive director Dominic Chanda said the association would issue a comprehensive statement on the matter soon.

Mr Chanda said PAZ had just received the document from Cabinet and was working on it in order to produce a statement and circulate it to the media.

“We will issue a statement after going through the document we just received five minutes ago from Cabinet. It is a big document and we need time to go through it and allow the chairman to release the statement.